HEA Welsh Institutional Group
First Year Experience Initiatives
Title of initiative: Student Liaison Officers
Contact Name:
Email:
Phone:
Institution:
Address:
Bridgett Pugh
b.pugh@glyndwr.ac.uk
01978 293046
Prifysgol Glyndŵr Wrecsam
Glyndŵr University Wrexham
Plas Coch
Mold Road
Wrexham
LL11 2AW
Theme: Communities of Practice
Key Words: Student liaison -tracking and monitoring, student attendance,
student progression, advice and support
Was the initiative introduced?
The role of Student Liaison Officer was initially introduced within the
curriculum area for Built Environment in February 2008 as part of the School
of Science and Technology. In July 2008 the role was later extended to cover
Science and Engineering. Plans are in progress to introduce this initiative into
the Schools of Business, and Computing/Computing Technologies.
Aim
The aim of student liaison is to ensure students are monitored for attendance
and assignment submission, in order to provide early intervention for those
who may be experiencing problems. This role is performed by a student
liaison officer who monitors student attendance and assignment submission.
The target group is primarily 1st year undergraduates, but second and third
year students may be included.
Description/approach:
Following successful interview one person was appointed to the role of
Student Liaison Officer in February 2008 whose job is to monitor student
attendance and contact those who fail to attend lectures or meet assignment
deadline dates. The appointed person acts as a liaison between students and
academic tutors, and works to ensure that students are referred for the
appropriate support, or are able to gain access to tutors in order to obtain
academic advice. In summer 2008 the role was expanded to provide a
summer support scheme to track and monitor ‘at risk’ students required to resubmit assignments or re-sit exams following June/July assessments boards.
Anticipated outcomes
The anticipated outcomes will be that as a result of regular monitoring and
early intervention, there will be an eventual improvement in first year
progression, and fewer students having to re-sit assessments. Of those
students needing to undertake re-sits it is anticipated that through regular
liaison the likelihood of returning to study will increase thus avoiding disillusion
and drop out.
Evidence of actual outcomes
The role of student liaison is not as yet well established enough to judge the
longer term effects on student progression. Despite this evidence from the
extra monitoring and support undertaken during July/August 08 does suggest
the role having some impact on at risk students.
Data evidence suggests a correlation between this monitoring role and an
increase in students returning following re-sit or repeat year requirements
from summer 2008 assessment boards. In September 2008 there appeared to
be a 13% increase (as a percentage of enrolments) in this type of student
returning to continue into the second year of their course. There also
appeared to be a direct correlation between the type of contact and the
likelihood of students returning. The student group were monitored, and of
those where successful personal contact was made and guidance provided,
85% returned to resume their studies, compared with a 51% return from those
students e mailed, and 41% of those who could not be contacted.
Longer term evidence of outcomes will continue to be monitored.
Reflection/impact
Within the university the role of Student Liaison is a new organisational
development which could serve to bridge a gap in student support. Currently
both teaching and administrative staff have to focus on their main role –
academics with teaching assessment and research, and administrative staff
supporting the clerical and organisational needs within their particular
courses. It is felt that the student liaison role gets lost with the consequences
of risking early student withdrawal. Agreement has been reached about the
need for a first point of contact for students experiencing difficulties, and once
the role of student liaison becomes established it could be subsumed as part
of a tutorial system for first year undergraduates. Students would receive the
additional advice and guidance needed and the innovation could become vital
in improving the student experience as well as impacting directly on student
success.
Plans are in place to develop this role further and appoint persons in the
areas for Business, and Computing/Communications Technology.